Chronologies
Japan - China
Chronology from Sep 2017 to Dec 2017
: Japanese Coast Guard reports that three Chinese Coast Guard ships entered Japan’s territorial waters near Kuboshima in the Senkaku chain, leaving after an hour and 45 minutes. This is the 29th such incursion since the beginning of 2017.
: Japan’s Nikkei, citing examples from Australia, New Zealand, and Antarctica, opines that China’s behavior was “sending chills through South Pacific politics.”
: Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Nikai Toshihiro states that Japan and China have pushed their relations to a new stage that allowed them to discuss the future together.
: Global Times states, without giving details, that Sino-Japanese ties had finally broken out of their “slump.”
: Japanese government sources reveal that the Defense Ministry is mulling a plan to buy F-35 stealth fighter jets for use on the MSDF’s helicopter carriers.
: The 11th China-Japan Comprehensive Forum on Energy Saving and Environmental Protection is held in Tokyo and 23 agreements on cooperation projects are signed.
: Following the announcement that the Japanese government plans to seek a 1.3 percent increase in the country’s defense budget, an editorial in the center-left Asahi expresses concern and calls for rigorous debate on the expenditures when the Diet reconvenes in January.
: Japan’s Defense Ministery reveals that the delivery of most of the 52 AAV-7 amphibious vehicles contracted for by the marine corps has been delayed.
: Japan and Taiwan announce the conclusion of a memorandum of understanding to enhance search and rescue at sea.
: Chinese Air Force conducts what it describes as routine air patrols, passing through the Strait of Tsushima and also conducting “encirclement” patrols close to Taiwan.
: Survivors of the Japanese bombing of Chongqing during World War II protest a ruling of the Tokyo High Court affirming the judgment of a 2015 decision of a lower court that they were not entitled to compensatory damages. A lawyer for the plaintiffs announces that the group would appeal to the Japanese Supreme Court.
: A two-plus-two meeting of the British and Japanese defense and foreign ministers is held in London. The two sides agree to strengthen security operations.
: Kyodo reports polls conducted by Japanese nonprofit think tank Genron NPO and the China International Publishing Group show a marked improvement in Chinese and Japanese views of relations between the two countries.
: Nanjing massacre is commemorated in Nanjing and other places. President Xi does not use his presence at the Nanjing event to make a speech.
: Chinese NGOs write to the Japanese Embassy in Beijing requesting an apology from the government to the victims of the Nanjing massacre and payment of compensation.
: Japanese and Chinese negotiators reach a tentative agreement designed to avert clashes in the Japanese-administered Diaoyu/Senkaku islands area.
: Japanese government sources reveal that Japan is considering the introduction of air-to-air and air-to-ship long-range cruise missiles.
: A third round of meetings between Chinese and Japanese econonomic leaders and former high-ranking officials held in Tokyo. Former Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan declares that stable, healthy Sino-Japanese relations conformed to shared interests.
: Yamaguchi Natsuo, head of Japan’s Komeitō party and coalition partner of the ruling LDP, meets Xi Jinping, carrying a letter from Abe.
: China Central Television (CCTV) suggests that Emperor Akihito’s decision to seek abdication was prompted by opposition to Abe’s plans to change Article 9 of the constitution.
: Japan announces it is considering support to companies that conduct joint projects with Chinese companies in countries along China’s Belt and Road economic zone.
: President Xi and Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guellah announce the establishment of a strategic partnership.
: Japan announces that it would postpone until the next fiscal cycle construction on additional land it had leased to expand the JSDF base in Djibouti.
: Japanese Ministry of Defense reports a decrease in the number of air defense scrambles, 51 percent of them against Chinese aircraft, for the first half of 2017.
: PM Abe and President Xi Jinping meet briefly during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Da Nang, Vietnam.
: Japan’s Defense Ministry publishes its 2017 White Paper.
: The 15th China-Japan Security Dialogue is held in Tokyo.
: The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
: Xinhua reports the death of the last of the 24 former comfort women to sue the Japanese government for being pressed into providing sex services to the Japanese military during World War II.
: PM Abe attends Chinese Embassy reception for the PRC’s National Day.
: China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, reacting to Abe’s calling a snap election of the Diet, warns him against changing the constitution.
: Four Chinese ships patrol area near the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands.
: Mayor of Ishigaki City asks that islands under its administrative jurisdiction be renamed to include “Senkaku Islands” in their formal names.
: The head of Japan’s Urasenke Tea School visits China and meets with, among others, State Counselor Yang Jiechi.
: Prime Minister Abe Shinzo visits India and meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They agree to deepen defense ties and to cooperate to balance against China.